The History of Norman Island: In this fascinating post, you’re going to discover a short description about Norman Island, a private island in the British Virgin Islands, and for whom the island may have been named. You’ll also discover the island’s unique connection to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island and the 14 similarities between Norman Island and Stevenson’s imaginary Island. 🏴☠️ The following […]
British Virgin Islands
Join Me on This Tour of the Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum ~ 1780
Museum Through the welcoming doorway of this old museum is an intriguing time capsule that transports the visitor back in time. The walls in this once flourishing sugar plantation and later a cotton ginning station speak, reveal their unbelievable history as you follow along on a self-guided tour. Framed photographs and stories are posted throughout […]
New Book Launched, Twice She Struck, The Story of RMS RHONE
New Book Launching I recently attended a fascinating presentation on the launching of a new book about the fate of the RMS RHONE ~ 1867 Congratulations to Dr. Mitch Kent on a well researched and beautifully presented timeline of actual events that occurred before and after the Rhone’s demise off Salt Island. I spent the […]
The Disappearance of the Fishing Sloop, KITE ~ 1901
Note: This image is a part of the Estus H. Magoon Collection, Item No. 1398. It was used to share this story and is not an actual image of the Kite.. The British sloop, Kite was a popular vessel sailing between the islands of Tortola and St. Thomas during the 1890s. Like so many island boats, it […]
The Sinking of the Schooner, FANCY ME ~ 1926
Launching The Fancy Me The Fancy Me was a locally-built schooner that became infamous when she was lost in a hurricane with most of her passengers who were returning home to their families. It was one of the most tragic events that occurred in the maritime history of the British Virgin Islands. The schooner was built on Hassel […]
Follow Along as the YAKABOO Island Hops Through the British Virgins ~ 1911
It was Thursday, June 22nd, the Coronation Day of George the Fifth, when a little sailing canoe anchored in the pretty harbor of Tortola! 🇻🇬 He had just arrived from visiting Saba Island in the Dutch Antilles. The skipper, no stranger to the West Indies, went ashore to announce his arrival and was welcomed warmly by […]
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Enjoy their Visit to the British Virgin Islands ~ 1977
Queen Elizabeth II visits the British Virgin Islands By Valerie Sims In 1977, my uncle, Ron Walker, photographed Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as they arrived on Tortola for a short visit. As a tribute to Her Majesty for her 90th birthday, I made this slideshare presentation of the photographs he took that […]
How Harvest Festival was Celebrated in Tortola ~ 1912
Harvest Festival celebrations were an integral part of life in the British Virgin Islands! It was a time when families appreciated the crops grown and the nourishment they provided. The week was traditionally honored with Church celebrations and family festivities. Decorating the Church On November 20, 1912, St. George’s Anglican Church celebrated the Harvest festival with a Thanksgiving Service. According to […]